Port Houston’s terminals achieved a container volume surge of 20% compared to the same month last year, reaching a total of 375,965 TEUs.
In the first two months of 2024, the US port has seen box volumes of 708,926 TEUs, translating to a 12% year-over-year increase.
Furthermore, loaded export volumes continued to drive growth, registering a remarkable 25% rise in February compared to the previous year, totalling 145,766 TEUs. This makes February the highest month on record for container exports at Port Houston.
Additionally, loaded imports saw an 18% increase compared to February 2023. Port officials attribute this strong performance, along with optimistic projections for the rest of the year, to significant investments in infrastructure development throughout Houston.
Port Houston has taken significant actions in accelerating its Houston Ship Channel Expansion – Project 11. Curtin Maritime Corp. recently completed dredging a stretch of three and a half miles along the Houston Ship Channel. This effort has resulted in the lifting of daylight restrictions, allowing for approximately 30 additional minutes of vessel transit time.
Moreover, Callan Marine has secured the final dredging contract for Project 11 led by Port Houston. This contract encompasses dredging the segment of the channel from Bayport Container Terminal to Barbours Cut Container Terminal. Notably, Callan Marine will employ the cleanest cutter-section dredge of its type in America for this project.
“Throughout the project to expand the Channel we have worked at an unprecedented rate to deliver the benefits to our customers and our region. Before the end of this year, our Bayport Container Terminal will be able to receive vessels of up to 15,000 TEUs in size,” stated Roger Guenther, executive director at Port Houston.
Expansion of landside infrastructure at Port Houston’s container terminals is also underway. The arrival of the Paleisgracht general cargo vessel at Barbours Cut brought seven new hybrid-electric rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, marking the beginning of several RTG deliveries scheduled for Port Houston terminals throughout the year. New ship-to-shore (STS) cranes are anticipated to arrive at Bayport this summer.
